front-line - Ozone Magazine

Haitian
Fresh represents a lot of things including the Haitian
community, Daytona Beach, and most recently Sak Pase
Records. Fresh just inked a deal with Wyclef Jean’s
imprint label and is taking full advantage of his new
situation.
How did you end up signing the deal with Wyclef on Sak
Pase Records/Refugee Camp
A lot of people in Florida were talking about me and
the buzz I have. They’ve seen my shows, my grind and
that I was a different artist. Nigel from Universal called
Wyclef and asked him why he hadn’t signed me. Wyclef
sent his people to Miami and they did their research
and saw that everything was fine. Wyclef called me and
he’s my family now.
Has anything changed with your life since then
My life hasn’t changed because I was a six figure
nigga way before the deal. As far as the music and the
industry and the fame, yeah it’s changed but I’m still
the same person. I answer my phone for everybody. It’s
changed in a lot of positive ways.
Your phone is probably ringing a lot more now though.
Man, the shit is ringing off the hook. I got three phones
now. I answer for everybody though ‘cause I love
people. That’s why I do this. I don’t do this for me. At
first I had a little bit of money and I loved music, so I
wanted to show the Haitian community and the hood
that I could do this. Then I fucked around and fell in
love with it. The streets chose me and embraced me as
an artist. Wyclef nicknamed me the million dollar artist.
How long is the contract for
Basically, Wyclef told me it’s for life. Blood in, blood
out. He don’t want me to discuss the details but it was
big. Put it this way: Haitian Fresh is happy. He called my
mama and told her to stop working. It’s a lot of people
that believed in me and are happy for me. That’s the
love I’m getting from the streets as a major right now.
There’s a lot of people that had something to do with it
but the main person is Haitian Fresh. He never gave up.
Tell me about the single with Wyclef and Boosie.
“Gon Joc” song is the number one song in the country.
Wyclef loved it as soon as he heard it. It was me and
Boosie at first and it was already hot in the street.
Wyclef just took it worldwide. He’s on the hook. The
video should be done in the next couple of months. Me
and Wyclef got two other singles. Right now, Wyclef’s
“The Sweetest Girl” is one of the top 10 songs in the
country. So that’s what we’re focusing on. We go on
tour in January to 27 cities. Everything is perfect. Wyclef
is going to produce most of my album. Certified Beats
from New York produced “Boss Status” featuring Busta
Rhymes and Rick Ross. That’s going to be the next
single. That’s hot. But right now it’s all about “Gon Joc.”
What else are you working on at the moment
I’ve got like 5 or 6 other singles that are ready. Haitian
Fresh is gonna be around for a while. If a person hates
me, they need to just sit back ‘cause I’m gonna be
knocking ‘em out with new hits. I got a lot of singles by
myself and I got a lot of platinum people that’s a part
of my album. I would have gave up ten million dollars to
be with Sak Pase Records because it’s a home. There’s
no place like home. With anyone else, when the money
runs out they kick you out, but with Wyclef it’s family.
I’m a different artist. Anybody can rap but not anybody
can be an artist. The rap part is easy. I’m a true artist.
That’s what makes Haitian Fresh different. Plus I can do
it in all kind of languages. And the hood loves me. To be
a Haitian rapper and get the streets to love you is hard
but I did it. Fuck everybody that don’t like me. If they
heard my album they would apologize.
You’ve been struggling to break out for a long time. Did
you ever get discouraged
Of course, a lot of times I wanted to give up but I love
God. Everything you see has already been written.
Whatever I touch turns platinum. I worked on my craft
and learned the studio. I feel like I’m the bomb right
now. Not being cocky, but nobody can fuck with me.
What else would you like to mention
I want to give a shout out to everybody in Daytona,
my daughter, D-Strong, DJ Nasty, DJ Quik – my DJ, Sak
Pase Records, Gon Joc Girls, 102 Jamz, all my Haitians.
I represent not only Haitians but all independent artists.
Tifre is the number 1 manager in the world. Rest in
Peace to all the Zoe Pound Revolutionaries. //
Words by Ms. Rivercity
Photo by Malik Abdul
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